The Cercopithecinae are a subfamily of the Old World monkeys, that includes in its roughly 71 species the baboons, the macaques and the vervet monkeys. Most cercopithecine monkeys are limited to sub-Saharan Africa, although the macaques range from the far eastern parts of Asia through northern Africa as well as on Gibraltar.

Contents

The various species are adapted to the different terrains they inhabit. Arboreal species are slim, delicate and have a long tail, while terrestrial species are stockier and their tail can be small or completely nonexistent. All species have well developed thumbs. Some species have ischial callosities, which can change their colour during mating period.

These monkeys are diurnal and live together in social groups. They live in all types of terrain and climate, from cool mountains to rain forests, savannah, bald rocky areas or even snowy mountains, like the Japanese Macaque.

Most species are omnivorous with diets ranging from fruits, leaves, seeds, buds, mushrooms to insects and spiders to smaller vertebrates.

Gestation lasts approximately six to seven months. Young are weaned after 3 to 12 months and are fully mature within 3 to 5 years. The life expectancy of some species can be as long as 50 years.